Kasaganaan Folk Dance

KASAGANAAN
(Tagalog)
A successful and bountiful harvest is propitious occasion for celebration.
Kasaganaan which means prosperity is danced at these harvest festivals. It is a common practice in many regions in the Philippines to hold a harvest festival especially when the harvest is good it is an expression of thanksgiving. Dancing, singing, feasting with the traditional lechon, pig roasted whole and drinking tuba, lambanog, or basi are features of celebration. Good dancers are chosen to start the dance and the Kasayahan, Alay or any lively dances like Jotas, Pandanggos, Curachas may be performed in a short program on honor of the hosts. Usually the merrymakers are the workers and farmhands and the landlords and their families. Generous landlords oftentimes throw coins at the dancers and distribute money to the children. This generous gesture is called pasabog or sura in the Tagalog regions.
COSTUME - Girl wears the traditional balintawak costume with tapis and panuelo (panyo) around neck. Boy wears barong tagalong and red, white or any colored trousers.
MUSIC - divided into two parts: A and B
COUNT - one, two, three to a measure.
FORMATION - Partners face each other at six feet apart. When facing audience, Girl is right side of Boy. Any number of pairs may take part in this dance.
Music Introduction.
Partners face audience
(a) Close steps sideward, R and L. girl holds skirt, Boy hands on waist 2M
(b) Execute a three-step turn in place (cts. 1, 2, 3). Point L foot in front, Girl holds skirt, Boy places hands on waist (cts. 1, 2, 3) 2M
I
Music A
Partners face each other.
a. Waltz sideward, R and L with the arm in lateral position. Move the arms sideward right and left 2M
b. Execute a three-step turn in place (cts. 1, 2, 3). Point L foot in front, Girl holds skirt, Boy places hands on waist (cts. 1, 2, 3) 2M
c. Repeat (a) and (b), starting with L foot. Reverse direction of arms in (a) 2M
d. Waltz R forward and L backward to the left alternately with the free hand of Girl holding the skirt and the Boy’s 2M
e. Grapevine to partners place, passing front-to -front- step R foot sideward (cts. 1, 2), step L foot across R in rear (ct. 3), step R sideward (cts. 1, 2), step L across R in front (ct.3). Repeat once more the two measures. Finish in partner’s place. Girl holds skirt, Boy places hands on waist 4M
Partners face each other.
Repeat all (a-c). Finish in proper places 16M
II
Music B
Partners face each other.
a. Sarok with R foot over L foot, bend trunk slightly forward and cross. Forearm in front with R forearm over L in front (cts. 1, 2, 3). Point R foot sideward. Trunk erect, arms in second position (cts. 1, 2, 3) 2M
b. Waltz R sideward (cts. 1, 2, 3), brush L forward (cts. 1, 2, 3). Arms in fourth position, R arm high 2M
c. Repeat (a) and (b), starting L foot, reverse position of arms 4M
d. Repeat (a) and (b) 4M
e. Starting with L foot, take two waltz turns, moving sideward left (using two waltz steps for every turn). Forearm turn, L and R alternately every measure 4M
f. Repeat all (a-e) starting with L foot. Reverse direction and position of arms. Finish in proper places 16M
III
Music A
Partners face each other.
a. Step R foot obliquely right (ct.1), brush L forward (ct.2), hop on R in place (ct.3). Waltz L forward to be in line at center by L shoulders (cts. 1, 2, 3). Swing both arms to fifth position 2M
b. Starting with R foot, take two slide steps backward to proper places. R arm in fifth position, L hand of Girl holding skirt. That of Boy is placed on waist. Reverse position of arms on the second slide step 2M
c. Waltz sideward, R and L alternately. Arms in lateral position, moving sideward right and left alternately 2M
d. Execute a three-step turn right in place (cts. 1, 2, 3) close L to R foot (ct.1), pause (cts. 2, 3) Girl holds skirt, Boy places hands on waist 2M
e. Repeat all (a-d), starting L foot, reverse direction and position of arms 8M
f. Repeat all (a-e) 16M
IV
Music B
R shoulder toward each other.
a. Starting with R foot, take two cross steps sideward right going toward partners place, passing front-to-front. Girl holds skirt, boy places hands on waist 2M
b. Waltz turns to partners place (using two waltz steps), finish facing each other. Forearm turn, R and L alternately 2M
c. Take four touch steps in front, R and L alternately. Hands as in (a) 4M
d. Take two double sway balance steps, R and L alternately. Arms in fourth position, R arm high on the first two measures and hands of Girl holding skirt, those of Boy are on waist on the two measure. Reverse position of arms when starting with L foot 8M
Turn R shoulder toward each other.
e. Repeat all (a-d). finish in proper places in (b) 16M
SALUDO
Music Finale.
Partners face audience.
Pause (cts. 1, 2, 3). Execute a three step turn right in place (cts. 1, 2, 3). Feet together and pause (cts. 1, 2, 3). Bow to audience (cts. 1, 2, 3), trunk erect pause (cts. 1, 2, 3). Girl holds skirt, Boy places hands on waist 5M